Strewth what a load of tosh, just get on yer bike , dont mess about and knock the distance off....have fun...
Nice idea but it doesn't work like that. 120 undulating miles fixed in winter into a probable headwind requires planning.
About three years ago, I went out for a Saturday morning ride. I was feeling good and moving swiftly. I got to Richmond Park and decided against laps but to continue instead towards Ascot and Windsor. I was flying. Close to Virginia Water, the rain started but i was riding well and so carried on. As I hit Runneymead, I realised that my good form was more down to a strong easterly tailwind than my fitness.
The cold wet wind blew through me. I was inadequately dressed. I was soaked. My gloves were not waterproof and I had no shoe covers on. My hands and feet froze. I shivered. I stopped shivering. I felt lightheaded. As i got closer to central London, I became concerned about my judgement at junctions. I was struggling. Eight miles from home I punctured. With frozen hands and a freezing body, it took almost half an hour to change the inner tube. I got home and looked into the mirror to see my lips had literally turned blue. I was suffering from hypothermia. I managed to strip off my wet clothes and jump into a hot bath where I lay for ages until my core heat was restored.
A bit of planning and I would have noticed the wind direction and the likely hood of rain. I would have dressed properly with waterproof gloves, overshoes and more layers and probably ridden east rather than west.
A ride of 120 miles with little opportunity to bail, will be far more enjoyable if risk elements are reduced in advance.
Nice idea but it doesn't work like that. 120 undulating miles fixed in winter into a probable headwind requires planning.
About three years ago, I went out for a Saturday morning ride. I was feeling good and moving swiftly. I got to Richmond Park and decided against laps but to continue instead towards Ascot and Windsor. I was flying. Close to Virginia Water, the rain started but i was riding well and so carried on. As I hit Runneymead, I realised that my good form was more down to a strong easterly tailwind than my fitness.
The cold wet wind blew through me. I was inadequately dressed. I was soaked. My gloves were not waterproof and I had no shoe covers on. My hands and feet froze. I shivered. I stopped shivering. I felt lightheaded. As i got closer to central London, I became concerned about my judgement at junctions. I was struggling. Eight miles from home I punctured. With frozen hands and a freezing body, it took almost half an hour to change the inner tube. I got home and looked into the mirror to see my lips had literally turned blue. I was suffering from hypothermia. I managed to strip off my wet clothes and jump into a hot bath where I lay for ages until my core heat was restored.
A bit of planning and I would have noticed the wind direction and the likely hood of rain. I would have dressed properly with waterproof gloves, overshoes and more layers and probably ridden east rather than west.
A ride of 120 miles with little opportunity to bail, will be far more enjoyable if risk elements are reduced in advance.